ESPN Outside The Lines PROGRAM ALERT

[jon e]

just heard it on khtk. today at noon, pretty much the entire show is devoted to the kings move and grant will be interviewed

"Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings could be relocating to Anaheim by next season. Today, "Outside the Lines" examines the Kings looming potential move to Anaheim, and how it relates to NBA business procedures and local fan bases. "

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/otl/index

 

[Löwenherz]

Not too encouraged by the photo caption "The Kings will move on, but Sacramento fans may not."

Also, could they have picked someone to interview who's not a mouthpiece for Maloof Sports and Entertainment?

 

[Capt. Factorial]

Not too encouraged by the photo caption "The Kings will move on, but Sacramento fans may not."

Don't panic about their caption. ESPN doesn't know anything we don't. Remember, the Maloofs have not yet filed. Remember, the Maloofs WANTED to file after the BOG meeting and did not have the support to do so. This is not a done deal, and every time you look at it it's less and less done.

 

[Glenn]

Don't panic about their caption. ESPN doesn't know anything we don't. Remember, the Maloofs have not yet filed. Remember, the Maloofs WANTED to file after the BOG meeting and did not have the support to do so. This is not a done deal, and every time you look at it it's less and less done.

I suspect we know more about this situation than ESPN. It will be interesting only in that it will give a relatively unbiased view point of the whole situation. That might help us understand where we stand. Most of us stand as people who are biased towards the Kings staying here and hardly can be considered objective. No fan SHOULD be objective. That's not part of the job description.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

I suspect we know more about this situation than ESPN. It will be interesting only in that it will give a relatively unbiased view point of the whole situation. That might help us understand where we stand. Most of us stand as people who are biased towards the Kings staying here and hardly can be considered objective. No fan SHOULD be objective. That's not part of the job description.

Agreed, they likely won't give us any new information but it will provide a frank and unbiased discussion. Plus Outside the Lines usually likes to tackle the ethical, moral and legal repercussions of sports on society so it would be interesting to see if the national pulse is pro-ownership or pro-community. I think I know the answer, but still.

 

[Glenn]

I couldn't find when it is on. Seems like it was yesterday. Is it next Sunday or when?

 

[pdxKingsFan]

Today at noon according to the OP, presumably Pacific Time since he heard on KHTK. It used to be its own show but now it is usually just a tacked on segment to SportsCenter.

 

[Jim Les]

My guess is Outside the Lines will ask the moral question of, "who owns a team? The fans or the owners?" and they will base most of the discussion around that, using Seattle as the most recent example. I'm at work, hopefully they'll re-air it later.

 

[ArcoKings]

12 noon? I'll watch. Thanks for the heads-up, jon e.

 

[Spike]

Please remember that the E in ESPN stands for Entertainment.

 

[BradC79]

Grant tweeted it is himself plus 4 other guests all on the show for the whole half hour so we will see how much he gets to talk.

 

[Elise10]

It's ON!

 

[NewKingsFan916]

is there a live feed?

 

[Big Cuz 15]

can someone give a review of it after its over. i'm not in a place where i can watch it..

 

[Siranthony]

Not too encouraged by the photo caption "The Kings will move on, but Sacramento fans may not."

Also, could they have picked someone to interview who's not a mouthpiece for Maloof Sports and Entertainment?

Ya Grant is employed by the Maloofs. I like his color play by play during the game. On his radio show he is an obnoxious A** H*** with his opinions! Like the world needs more of those.

 

[Roch Royals Fan]

Here are my unvarnished notes from the show, quite well done, I must say.

Hearts vs. heads, loyalty issues in the NBA

The next two months will be the last hoops we see for a while

Rabidly supported the team, may have seen their last game ever.


A quote from KJ about the BOG

Westfall says thanks

Emotional kings broadcasters

Panel of experts

Grant Napier, Leigh Steinberg, Rich Worrel, Marcos Breton

Breton: Its not a foregone conclusion that they are gone.

A playoff going on for an NBA team, the Kings. BOG, determined that Anaheim isn’t ready.

Try to determine which city can host an NBA team

KJ is suiting up again,

Steinberg: Instrumental in saving the SF Giants in a similar situation. Saved it at the last minute.

They say its your team when its convenient, but it’s a private biz when its not.

Love the Maloofs, were able to save the As as well.


Napier: for the last few yrs at the bottom of fan attendance.

Its NOT about the fans, its about the Arena.

U2 and the Rolling Stones are saying no

New building they stay


Horrow: It all depends on money. It’s a public-private partnership issue, quite difficult.

3-4 mill people, twice as big as Sacramento, divide mkt into three

Breton: To move not in the Maloofs character. Rumors that they have money problems. They would have to pay $77 mill to move, loaned $50 mill from Samueli, in deep with the Palms lenders and have borrowed from the NBA. They are forced to make this move and a cash infusion and TV contract makes it feasible.

Problem: There is no TV contract done. Difficult to complete in a matter of weeks, with a gun to their head. Financial pressures are driving this situation.


Steinberg: Rumors of moving causes attendance to drop. A private biz is pt of the civic fabric, then it talks about moving. Irony, 3 NBA, 2 MLS, 2 Hocky, and no football teams, Have to be very careful here. Problem: If we want to keep pro sports healthy, we need to fund the team and keep them there. If not, we undercut the whole concept. Anaheim can support the team, but what about Sacremento? Their hearts and minds?


Breton: Attendance went up when the Kings were rumored of moving, people have been mobilized


Napier: The City is divided. The City hasn’t delivered with sports, not even AAA baseball. Product bad, tough to support. Had a lot of civic rallies. Need to keep focused on the situation KJ needs to deliver on the promise of a new arena..

Sonicsgate guy Reid: Don’t give up hope, can always get a team, FIX THE ARENA

Reid: NBA set the precident, can move without a good arena. The NBA is not doing the best thing in the interest of the fans. How much responsibility is in the fans? Seattle supported the team for 44 yrs. They are not respecting the fans, they led a movement to save the Sonics. Are you OK with a team from another city comes, say New Orleans? The movie was made to bring the NBA back to Seattle. The NBA has set the precident, so they would accept the Hornets. The NBA has created this problem, with the Seattle move.


Horrow: Don’t use the word ‘steal’! History is involved with the plan in Olkahoma City, this wasn’t built for an NBA team. He understands how to play one city against another. City puts the public-private partnership together. See the excitement after their win in Game 1.

Steinberg: Is it a good time to move when a lockout/contraction? SoCal can support the Royals, they have the right type of support. Once you start moving franchises, but it becomes very difficult to get fan loyalty. Its not like a college you went to. Saved the Giants, but it is too little, too late for Sac? Competition for the NBA is other entertainment options, we have to think about how you maintain the fan base, don’t rip out their hearts!!


Napier: There’s two weeks to go, this the only show in town, this becomes a minor league city.

Brenton: the NBA loses if this city loses. NBA is king here, a regional franchise, area is depressed right now, city wants the team to stay!

Reid: in Seattle want to bring a team back!! Rooting for Denver against Okl City

Steinberg: We have a different sports fan now, father to son chain has to be nurtured to keep the fandom alive.

 

[Siranthony]

Thanks for the run down. I tuned in for the last 5 minutes. It is sad this may happen. It shouldn't. The NBA should care about it's fans. So true about the owners saying it's our team until it's not convienant. Then it's a big middle finger.

 

[Roch Royals Fan]

Hey, whatever happens, the Sacramento fans and KJ have REALLY stepped up to save their team. Much props to you guys!! .

I think it's BS that the NBA expects you to build a new arena with 12% unemployment and the worst budget crisis in the State's history. From all I've seen, the Maloofs have put themselved in a terrible financial bind, and I don't think the Anaheim deal is really in the league's best interest.

 

[bajaden]

My guess is Outside the Lines will ask the moral question of, "who owns a team? The fans or the owners?" and they will base most of the discussion around that, using Seattle as the most recent example. I'm at work, hopefully they'll re-air it later.

I'm pretty sure that the Maloof's own the team. Unless we just switched to a socialistic society.

 

[Livinthedream]

I think this confirms to me that Napear works for the Maloofs. Wish he could have brought a little more insight into the situation, besides it's all Sacramento's fault. Saying that Sacramento hasn't build an arena after 10 years of effort, is very shallow and leaves our important facts about those efforts. Important to get as much of the full story out when you're speaking to the national audience.

Overall I was happy with the program. It was pro Sacramento, and anti relocation in general in my opinion.

 

[bajaden]

Hey, whatever happens, the Sacramento fans and KJ have REALLY stepped up to save their team. Much props to you guys!! .

I think it's BS that the NBA expects you to build a new arena with 12% unemployment and the worst budget crisis in the State's history. From all I've seen, the Maloofs have put themselved in a terrible financial bind, and I don't think the Anaheim deal is really in the league's best interest.

Accepting your simple and concise appraisial, what do you do about it? Whats the answer? Does the city and the mayor take the moral highground, and say someone else builds the stadium. And ultimatily lose the team. Do we continue to bicker over who should or should not fork over the money, and accomplish nothing. The Maloofs don't have the money, and probably never did have that kind of money.

I think the NBA expects the teams to play in an arena thats up to the standards around the league. I don't think they care how thats accomplished, and to be honest, its not really their problem to solve. When Luckenbill asked to move the team to sacramento, he had to abide by NBA rules and have a new arena built within a certain amount of time. Yes, he did his own financing, but he also built it on the cheap. It amazingly lasted for what, 27 years? The point is, the league has standards and if you buy a team, you have to meet those standards. How you meet them is up to ownership and the city in which the team resides.

The fact that there's 12% unemployment isn't the leagues problem. Go talk to the politicians in sacramento to get the answers on that one. You might ask them about the budget crisis as well. The one thing that you said, that I hope is true, is that Anaheim isn't in the leagues best interest. And that it will buy us another year to get something done. As Carmichael Dave said. If the city would have had this sense of urgency a year ago, we'd be breaking ground on a new arena right now.

 

[bajaden]

I think this confirms to me that Napear works for the Maloofs. Wish he could have brought a little more insight into the situation, besides it's all Sacramento's fault. Saying that Sacramento hasn't build an arena after 10 years of effort, is very shallow and leaves our important facts about those efforts. Important to get as much of the full story out when you're speaking to the national audience.

Overall I was happy with the program. It was pro Sacramento, and anti relocation in general in my opinion.

Come on, give me a break. Napier had around 2 minutes max to say something. He wasn't writing an at length article for a newspaper. What he said was true. It all comes down to an arena. In ten years nothing got done. Now folks, thats the fricking truth. You can try and spin it anyway you want and blame anyone you want, but in the end, it comes down to whether we have a new arena or not. Just what the hell did you want him to say? That Joe and Gavin are a couple of cheap pigheads?

As far as Grant working for the Maloof's. The fact is, he does, or at least did up until a few days ago. So thats hardly a revelation. Do you go on public television and badmouth your boss? Grant has more of stake in the team staying in sacramento than you or I do. He loses his job if they move. I'm not saying you have to love Grant Napier, but for god sake at least be realistic about the situation. If the team leaves, its not Grant Napiers fault. Go back to day one of the Kings arrival and read the history of the great city council of sacramento. Do your homework, and you tell me whose at fault? You can't just live in the here and now. There's a reason why we got to where we are. Go ask Heather Fargo about all the work she did to get the team to move here. I know the current mayor and current city council, and current owners aren't responsible for the past. But the past created this situation, and sitting around now and pointing fingers isn't going to solve anything.

 

[Roch Royals Fan]

There is a simple solution for such problems (simple to outline, and complex to get passed). The NBA, as part of the new labor agreement, could offer to help out small market teams with an arena fund. The new labor agreement should also allow for revenue sharing of local TV revenue, such as the Lakers deal. The NBA DOES have the deep pockets to get this done. However, player salaries being out of whack has ruined the NBA's business model. If the players took a lower percentage of revenues, there WOULD be enough money to share revenues to help construct new arenas. As I type this, I realize how 'pie-in-the-sky' this actually is.

However, it's equally as unrealistic to expect the community to raise general sales or income taxes to pay for an arena in this tough economic climate. To me, Stern is saying that the very short-term of the Anaheim move is more important than the long-term health of the NBA's small market teams. To be realistic, Stern should put this off for another year, since we don't know what the Royals new TV deal will yield, and we don't know if new labor agreement/revenue sharing arrangement will make the NBA more palpable for Sacramento in the short-term. From what I've read, the big difference in this move would be the local TV deal and corporate sponsorships, both of which are currently unknown, because of the real threat of the lockout. When the economy turns around the arena situation could be turned around at that time. I'd wait for at least a year to see how the new labor agreement helps the small market teams, and then I'd give Sacramento another year or two to get the arena finalized and built. If not, then the Kings should be allowed to move, BUT ONLY IF IT CAN BE CONCLUSIVELY SHOWN THAT THE MOVE WOULD CLEARLY BE IN BOTH THE KINGS AND THE REST OF THE NBA'S INTEREST.

Right now, it's not clear to me that the Royals would make more money in Anaheim, and we know that it's materially worse for the Lakers, and probably also the Clippers.

 

[hrdboild]

Napier: The City is divided. The City hasn’t delivered with sports, not even AAA baseball. Product bad, tough to support. Had a lot of civic rallies. Need to keep focused on the situation KJ needs to deliver on the promise of a new arena..

I'm not sure what this part about AAA baseball refers to -- the River Cats have been one of the best teams in minor league baseball for their entire existence and I thought their attendance was at or near the top too.

 

[Section 101]

I'm not sure what this part about AAA baseball refers to -- the River Cats have been one of the best teams in minor league baseball for their entire existence and I thought their attendance was at or near the top too.

Refering to the City of Sacramento not being able to build a stadium.

 

[Glenn]

I'm not sure what this part about AAA baseball refers to -- the River Cats have been one of the best teams in minor league baseball for their entire existence and I thought their attendance was at or near the top too.

They are in West Sac and not Sac. They are in Yolo County. There is interest in sports in the area but it seems in this case, the metropolis of West Sac was more interested in having the team then Sacramento.

 

[Livinthedream]

Come on, give me a break. Napier had around 2 minutes max to say something. He wasn't writing an at length article for a newspaper. What he said was true. It all comes down to an arena. In ten years nothing got done. Now folks, thats the fricking truth. You can try and spin it anyway you want and blame anyone you want, but in the end, it comes down to whether we have a new arena or not. Just what the hell did you want him to say? That Joe and Gavin are a couple of cheap pigheads?

As far as Grant working for the Maloof's. The fact is, he does, or at least did up until a few days ago. So thats hardly a revelation. Do you go on public television and badmouth your boss? Grant has more of stake in the team staying in sacramento than you or I do. He loses his job if they move. I'm not saying you have to love Grant Napier, but for god sake at least be realistic about the situation. If the team leaves, its not Grant Napiers fault. Go back to day one of the Kings arrival and read the history of the great city council of sacramento. Do your homework, and you tell me whose at fault? You can't just live in the here and now. There's a reason why we got to where we are. Go ask Heather Fargo about all the work she did to get the team to move here. I know the current mayor and current city council, and current owners aren't responsible for the past. But the past created this situation, and sitting around now and pointing fingers isn't going to solve anything.

At no point did I ever profess my love hate for Grant Napier. Nor did I ever blame him for the current situation. So relax. I understand how much time he had to speak, so he should choose his words carefully. There were 4 panelist and one host. Grant was the only one out of all of them who seemed to lay all the blame on the city of Sacramento. I thought that was unfortunate seeing as he's the "voice" of the Kings on television. He doesn't owe me anything, and I didn't ask. But he put himself out there on television, therefore opening himself up for criticism. So I gave it.

I'm not really sure how you could infer anything about my knowledge of the overall situation based on my two sentence comment, so I'll let you argue with yourself on that one.

 

[Jim Les]

I'm pretty sure that the Maloof's own the team. Unless we just switched to a socialistic society.

Yes. I know that. We all know that. The point of the question is at what point does that fact start to hurt the NBA? At what point will fans stop supporting their teams when they know that they can be stabbed in the heart at any moment. When fans continually get burned, they are going to start voting with their wallets and it will hurt the NBA's bottom line.

 

[bajaden]

Yes. I know that. We all know that. The point of the question is at what point does that fact start to hurt the NBA? At what point will fans stop supporting their teams when they know that they can be stabbed in the heart at any moment. When fans continually get burned, they are going to start voting with their wallets and it will hurt the NBA's bottom line.

Different issue when you word it that way. I don't disagree with you to a certain extent. But I believe it was P.T. Barnum that said, "There's a fool born every minute". Unfortunately was he's right. Ask yourself this. Lets say the Kings move, and five years from now, the city has a new arena built, and a team moves to sacramento. Will the fans stay away because they were stabbed in the heart five years earlier, or will they jump at the chance to embrace a new team?

I don't have the answer to that question, but my guess is that the fans would flock to the arena. And if so, then how much damage did the league actually do to its fanbase.

 

[Jim Les]

I've already asked myself that. If the Kings leave town, I'm done spending money on the NBA. Period.